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Difference between revisions of "Audubon's Shearwater" - BirdForum Opus

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'''Includes Galapagos Shearwater; Bannerman's Shearwater'''
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[[Image:Audubon s Shearwater 2 9-29-2014.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Pauhana|Pauhana}}<br />gulf stream off [[Florida]], September 2014]]
 
;[[:Category:Puffinus|Puffinus]] lherminieri
 
;[[:Category:Puffinus|Puffinus]] lherminieri
[[Image:Audubons_Shearwater.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Glen Tepke<br/>Location: Atlantic Ocean, near Hydrographer Canyon, south of Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA]]
 
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
 +
[[Image:615 08470fg Addubon s Shearwater in Flight.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|bobsofpa|bobsofpa}}<br />[[Dry Tortugas National Park]], [[Florida]], [[USA]], April 2015]]
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27–33 cm,  10.6-13 inches. Wingspan 64–74 cm, 25-29 inches. 138–290 g<br />
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*Blackish-brown upperparts.
 +
*Underparts, cheeks and throat are white with conspicuous spot at sides of [[Topography_Artwork_General_Anatomy|rump]].
 +
*Wing are broad and short.
 +
*Black tail is long and rounded.
 +
*Black flight feathers.
 +
*White around eye in most birds.
 +
*Partial [[Topography_Artwork_Heads|eye ring]]
 +
*Occasionally short [[Topography_Artwork_Heads|supercilium]] in front of eye.
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*Occasionally short and narrow [[Topography_Artwork_Heads|eye stripe]] behind eye.
 +
*Dark flanks merge into white breast and occasionally with partial breast band.
 +
*Thighs and [[Topography_Artwork_General_Anatomy|undertail coverts]] dark brown.
 +
*Dark grey trailing edge to underwing.
 +
*Base of [[Topography_Artwork_Wings|primaries]] normally have small quantity of silver or white
 +
*[[Topography_Artwork_Wings|Lesser coverts]] darkly spotted or streaked.
 +
*Iris dark brown.
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*Beak grey to blue grey often darker on [[Topography_Artwork_Beaks|culmen]] and black tip.
 +
*[[Topography_Artwork_Legs_and_Feet|Legs and feet]] pale pink with outer tarsi and toes blackish.
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*Sexes similar, female slightly smaller.
 +
==Similar Species==
 
[[Manx Shearwater]] is slightly larger with longer more-pointed wings, and white undertail coverts.<br />
 
[[Manx Shearwater]] is slightly larger with longer more-pointed wings, and white undertail coverts.<br />
 
[[Cory's Shearwater]] is much larger with much lighter brown body and wings, heavy yellow bill and white tail band.<br />
 
[[Cory's Shearwater]] is much larger with much lighter brown body and wings, heavy yellow bill and white tail band.<br />
 
[[Great Shearwater]] is much larger with lighter body, smudgy brown belly, neat cap, narrow pointed wings. and white tail band.
 
[[Great Shearwater]] is much larger with lighter body, smudgy brown belly, neat cap, narrow pointed wings. and white tail band.
 
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
Mostly tropical, with the [[Caribbean]], eastern Pacific, and Indian Ocean as main breeding grounds. All breeding grounds are islands. Subspecies ''subalaris'' breeds in the [[Galapagos]] Islands, and ''bannermani'' breeds off [[Japan]].  
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Breeds in the Caribbean. All breeding grounds are islands.<br />
 +
Recently discovered off [[Brazil]] on Fernando do Noronha, Itataia Islands.<br />
 +
Winters in the Carribbean and up the east coast of the [[United States]].
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
[[Heinroth's Shearwater]] and [[Persian Shearwater]] have been split from Audubon's Shearwater.
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Clements<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> and Gill and Donsker<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup> agree on the taxonomy of this species. Dickinson<sup>[[#References|[4]]]</sup> however treats the shearwaters differently.<br />
 +
[[Tropical Shearwater]] and [[Persian Shearwater]] have in the past been included in this species. Both are now split (however [[Persian Shearwater]] is included in Tropical by Dickinson). The split of [[Galapagos Shearwater]], which is known to differ strikingly both in DNA (with high support), physiology and voice is accepted by all three authorities, the same goes for [[Heinroth's Shearwater]].<br />
 +
Dickinson follows the Austin et al. 2004 revisions of the Audubon's/Little Shearwater complex and has transferred the two subspecies ''baroli'' and ''boydi'' of [[Little Shearwater]] to this species. Clements and Gill and Donsker follow Sangster et al 2005 and Onley & Scofield 2007 in this case and accept both former subspecies as full species ([[Barolo Shearwater]] and [[Boyd's Shearwater]]).
 
====Subspecies====
 
====Subspecies====
Audubon's Shearwater currently has a total of 9 subspecies. Two of these are treated in detail below, the rest are: ''lherminieri'', ''loyemilleri'', ''dichrous'', ''gunax'', ''bailloni'', ''nicolae'', and ''temptator'' (''colstoni'' recognized by some authorities).
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Audubon's Shearwater as treated here has 2 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
[[Image:Galapagos_Shearwater.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Photo by '''Momo'''<br/>Subspecies ''subalaris'']]
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*''P. l. lherminieri'':
====Status of Galapagos Shearwater ''subalaris''====
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:*Breeds [[Bahamas]] and [[West Indies]]; formerly [[Bermuda]]
According to Boegh (2007), the Galapagos Shearwater (''P. l. subalaris'') is  "now known to differ strikingly both in DNA (with high support), physiology and voice from the members of the Audubon's/Little complex.  Indeed, they're not even the closest relatives of the Galapagos Shearwater, which actually is closer to the Christmas Shearwater." SACC (2008) treats ''subalaris'' as a full species, citing the genetic data of Austin et al (2004) and long-ago noted morphological distinctiveness by Murphy (1927). However, Clements 6th edition (2007) and Howard & Moore (2003) retain it as a subspecies of ''lherminieri'', and the Opus follows in this consensus.
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*''P. l. loyemilleri'':
====Status of Bannerman's Shearwater ''bannermani''====
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:*Islets in south-western [[Caribbean]]
Austin et al (2004) treat ''bannermani'' as a full species based on molecular phylogeny, and are followed by Onley & Scofield (2007). Sibley & Monroe (1996) also grant it species status. However, Clements 6th edition (2007) and Howard & Moore (2003) retain it as a subspecies of ''lherminieri'', and the Opus follows in this consensus.
 
====Mascarene Shearwater, ''Puffinus atrodorsalis''====
 
Invalid taxon. Believed to have been a juvenile ''P. l. bailloni'' (Austin et al., 2004).
 
  
 +
The described subspecies ''atrodorsalis'' (Mascarene Shearwater) is now believed to have been a juvenile of the nominate form of [[Tropical Shearwater]].<br />
 +
Carboneras et al<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup> don't accept ''loyemilleri'' and treat it as a synonym of ''lherminieri''.
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 +
Mainly occurs in offshore waters. Near land next to colonies during the breeding season where it breeds on islands, offshore islets and coral atolls, utilising cliffs and slopes with herbaceous vegetation and rocky areas.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
 +
====Flight====
 +
In calmer winds this is a species that tends to fly low. However, if going across strong winds, a high arching flight may be seen that reminds of Petrels.
 +
====Breeding====
 +
It is a colonial breeder, breeding frequently in low numbers occasionally in mixed colonies, nesting in small burrows and crevices in rocks. Colonies are visited on up to 95% of nights after brooding for 3-7 days, but may be seen from shore during day.  The single white egg is incubated by both parents for 44-60 days in stints of between 2-10 days; the young fledge between 62 and 100 days later.
 +
Breeding season length and time is dependent on location. Mainly in January to March. Brazilian population lay eggs between August and September, fledging in October.
 +
Sexual maturity is reached at about 8 years. One ringed bird is known to have reached 19 years.
 +
 +
====Diet====
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The diet consists of small fish, squid and crustaceans. They feed by pursuit diving and plunging, and 'pattering' on the water surface and surface grabbing. Dives last up to several seconds. Dives up to 15 m. May join other feeding seabirds and small fishing vessels.
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====Vocalisation====
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Similar to [[Manx Shearwater]] but more strangled. Female calls are lower and harsher than males. Only calls at night. Mainly silent at sea.
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==References==
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug15}}#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved September 2015)
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#{{Ref-GillDonsker15V5.3}}#{{Ref-HM04}}# [http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1642/0004-8038%282004%29121%5B0847%3AAGMPOT%5D2.0.CO%3B2 Paper ] by Austin et al. (2004) describing phylogeny of small shearwaters
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{{ref}}
 +
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Puffinus+lherminieri}}
 
{{GSearch|Puffinus+lherminieri}}
*[http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&fid=56&bid=730 View more images of this species on the ABID]
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*[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=1152&Bird_Image_ID=4607&Bird_Family_ID=123 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages]
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[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Puffinus]]
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Puffinus]][[Category:Incomplete]]
 

Revision as of 13:26, 9 October 2015

Photo by Pauhana
gulf stream off Florida, September 2014
Puffinus lherminieri

Identification

27–33 cm, 10.6-13 inches. Wingspan 64–74 cm, 25-29 inches. 138–290 g

  • Blackish-brown upperparts.
  • Underparts, cheeks and throat are white with conspicuous spot at sides of rump.
  • Wing are broad and short.
  • Black tail is long and rounded.
  • Black flight feathers.
  • White around eye in most birds.
  • Partial eye ring
  • Occasionally short supercilium in front of eye.
  • Occasionally short and narrow eye stripe behind eye.
  • Dark flanks merge into white breast and occasionally with partial breast band.
  • Thighs and undertail coverts dark brown.
  • Dark grey trailing edge to underwing.
  • Base of primaries normally have small quantity of silver or white
  • Lesser coverts darkly spotted or streaked.
  • Iris dark brown.
  • Beak grey to blue grey often darker on culmen and black tip.
  • Legs and feet pale pink with outer tarsi and toes blackish.
  • Sexes similar, female slightly smaller.

Similar Species

Manx Shearwater is slightly larger with longer more-pointed wings, and white undertail coverts.
Cory's Shearwater is much larger with much lighter brown body and wings, heavy yellow bill and white tail band.
Great Shearwater is much larger with lighter body, smudgy brown belly, neat cap, narrow pointed wings. and white tail band.

Distribution

Breeds in the Caribbean. All breeding grounds are islands.
Recently discovered off Brazil on Fernando do Noronha, Itataia Islands.
Winters in the Carribbean and up the east coast of the United States.

Taxonomy

Clements[1] and Gill and Donsker[3] agree on the taxonomy of this species. Dickinson[4] however treats the shearwaters differently.
Tropical Shearwater and Persian Shearwater have in the past been included in this species. Both are now split (however Persian Shearwater is included in Tropical by Dickinson). The split of Galapagos Shearwater, which is known to differ strikingly both in DNA (with high support), physiology and voice is accepted by all three authorities, the same goes for Heinroth's Shearwater.
Dickinson follows the Austin et al. 2004 revisions of the Audubon's/Little Shearwater complex and has transferred the two subspecies baroli and boydi of Little Shearwater to this species. Clements and Gill and Donsker follow Sangster et al 2005 and Onley & Scofield 2007 in this case and accept both former subspecies as full species (Barolo Shearwater and Boyd's Shearwater).

Subspecies

Audubon's Shearwater as treated here has 2 subspecies[1]:

  • P. l. lherminieri:
  • P. l. loyemilleri:

The described subspecies atrodorsalis (Mascarene Shearwater) is now believed to have been a juvenile of the nominate form of Tropical Shearwater.
Carboneras et al[2] don't accept loyemilleri and treat it as a synonym of lherminieri.

Habitat

Mainly occurs in offshore waters. Near land next to colonies during the breeding season where it breeds on islands, offshore islets and coral atolls, utilising cliffs and slopes with herbaceous vegetation and rocky areas.

Behaviour

Flight

In calmer winds this is a species that tends to fly low. However, if going across strong winds, a high arching flight may be seen that reminds of Petrels.

Breeding

It is a colonial breeder, breeding frequently in low numbers occasionally in mixed colonies, nesting in small burrows and crevices in rocks. Colonies are visited on up to 95% of nights after brooding for 3-7 days, but may be seen from shore during day. The single white egg is incubated by both parents for 44-60 days in stints of between 2-10 days; the young fledge between 62 and 100 days later. Breeding season length and time is dependent on location. Mainly in January to March. Brazilian population lay eggs between August and September, fledging in October. Sexual maturity is reached at about 8 years. One ringed bird is known to have reached 19 years.

Diet

The diet consists of small fish, squid and crustaceans. They feed by pursuit diving and plunging, and 'pattering' on the water surface and surface grabbing. Dives last up to several seconds. Dives up to 15 m. May join other feeding seabirds and small fishing vessels.

Vocalisation

Similar to Manx Shearwater but more strangled. Female calls are lower and harsher than males. Only calls at night. Mainly silent at sea.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved September 2015)
  3. Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2015. IOC World Bird Names (version 5.3). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
  4. Dickinson, EC, ed. 2014. The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. 4th ed. Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0956861122
  5. Paper by Austin et al. (2004) describing phylogeny of small shearwaters

Recommended Citation

External Links

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